Helmet having audio features

ABSTRACT

A safety helmet which is worn by bicyclers and the like includes a compact disc player and earphones. Audio played by the compact disc player can be heard by a person wearing the helmet for entertainment. The entertainment offered by the helmet will encourage people to wear the helmet thus encouraging safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the general art of wearing apparel, and to the particular field of protective wearing apparel and more specifically, to the field of headgear.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0004] More and more people are using bicycles, skateboards, skates, motorcycles, ATVs, rollerblades, and the like. More and more people are also riding horses and even jogging. The popularity of these modes of transportation is nearly unprecedented. However, as is well documented, the risk of injury associated with these modes of transportation is very high. The risk of head injuries associated with these modes of transportation is especially alarming.

[0005] Therefore, nearly every safety rule requires some form of head protection. Many riders of these vehicles are reluctant to wear helmets for various reasons. None of the reasons are entirely valid, but people avoid wearing safety helmets nonetheless.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a helmet that encourages a person to wear the helmet when necessary.

[0007] Some protective helmets are quite restrictive in the uses that can be made of the helmet. This limits the ability of a wearer to adjust the helmet to meet his needs or desires. If a wearer can adjust a helmet to meet his or her special needs, that person is more likely to wear the helmet than if the helmet is not adaptable to the wearer's desires.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a helmet that permits a wearer to control the environment associated with the helmet while the helmet is being worn.

PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is a main object of the present invention to provide a helmet that encourages a person to wear the helmet.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a helmet that provides entertainment to a wearer while the helmet is worn.

[0011] It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a helmet that provides music to the wearer while the helmet is being worn.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a helmet that provides entertainment to a wearer while the helmet is worn and which permits the wearer to control the playing of the entertainment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] These, and other, objects are achieved by a helmet which comprises: a liner unit having earphones embedded therein; a strap connected to the liner unit; an outer shell unit that covers the liner unit when worn by a wearer; a compact disc player mounted on the outer shell unit; a remote control unit electrically connected to the compact disc player; and a strap unit connected to the liner unit. A digital chip audio player can also be mounted on the outer shell. Control buttons are located on an access door of the compact disc player as well as on the remote control unit for controlling operation of the compact disc player. The liner unit is generally formed of soft material that will be comfortable to the wearer and the outer shell is formed of impact-absorbing hard plastic type material that is common to helmets such as motorcycle helmets as well as helmets worn by bicyclers and skaters and skateboarders and the like. The strap unit includes a size adjusting mechanism.

[0014] The helmet of the present invention not only protects the wearer, it encourages people to wear the helmet. The entertainment provided by the compact disc player of the helmet will encourage the wearer to wear the helmet thereby providing the benefits of wearing protective head gear.

[0015] Many people enjoy listening to music, books on tape or compact disc, and the like when exercising. At the present time, these people generally carry a playback unit on their person in a pouch, or on a belt or simply in their hand. This is inconvenient and may be cumbersome. The helmet embodying the present invention permits this audio playback unit to be located in a position that is out of the way, and is easily balanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet embodying the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the helmet shown in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side elevational, partially cross-sectional view of a helmet embodying the present invention in place on a wearer.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a schematic, rear elevational view of a helmet embodying the present invention in place on a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a helmet 10 which is to be worn to protect a user's head during activities such as bicycling, skating, skateboarding, and the like. Helmet 10 comprises a liner unit 12 which includes a head-covering section 14, partially shown in FIG. 2, having a front portion 16, a rear portion 18 and side portions, such as side portion 20, connecting the front portion 16 to the rear portion 18. As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front portion 16 of the head-covering section 14 is located adjacent to the face of a wearer when the wearer is wearing liner unit 12, the rear portion 18 of the head-covering section 14 is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the liner unit 12 and the side portions 20 of the head-covering section 14 are located adjacent to the sides of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the head-covering section 14. The liner unit 12 can fit as snugly on the wearer as desired and can absorb sound as well as dampness and the like as is the case with helmet liners.

[0022] Liner unit 14 further includes a rim 22 which includes a rim face portion 24 which is located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the liner unit 12, a rim rear portion 28 which is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the liner unit 12, a first ear E1 covering portion 30 which covers one ear of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the liner unit 12, a second ear covering portion 32 which covers a second ear E2 of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the liner unit 12. The ear covering portions 30, 32 help to seal out noise. A first earphone 34 is embedded in the liner unit 12 in the first ear covering portion 30 of the liner unit 12 and a second earphone 36 is embedded in the liner unit 12 in the second ear covering portion 32 of the liner unit 12. A first electrical wire 40 is electrically connected to the first earphone 34, and a second electrical wire 42 is electrically connected to the second earphone 36. The purpose of these electrical wires 40, 42 will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. Liner unit 12 further includes an inside surface 44 which is located adjacent to the head of the wearer when the liner unit 12 is worn by the wearer and an outside surface 46.

[0023] Helmet 10 further includes a strap unit 50 for attaching the helmet 10 to the wearer. Strap unit 50 includes a first end 52 fixed to the rim face portion 24 adjacent to one side portion of the liner unit 12, a second end 54 fixed to the rim face portion 24 adjacent to a second side portion of the liner unit 12, and a size adjusting mechanism 56 on the strap unit 50. The size adjusting mechanism 56 shown in FIG. 1 includes a loop 58 as well as hook-and-loop fastening elements 60.

[0024] Helmet 10 further includes an outer shell unit 70 which includes an outer shell head-covering section 72 having a front portion 74, a rear portion 76 and side portions 78 and 80 connecting the front portion 74 of the outer shell head-covering portion 72 to the rear portion 76 of the outer shell head-covering section 72. The front portion 74 of the outer shell head-covering section 72 is located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the outer shell unit 70, the rear portion 76 of the outer shell head-covering unit 72 is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell unit 70 and the side portions 78, 80 of the outer shell head-covering section 72 being located adjacent to the sides of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell head-covering section 72.

[0025] The outer shell unit 70 further includes an outer shell rim 82, which includes an outer shell rim face portion 84 which is located adjacent to the wearer's face when the outer shell unit 70 is worn by the wearer, an outer shell rim rear portion 86 which is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the outer shell unit 70 is worn by the wearer. The outer shell unit 70 can also include decorations, such as decoration D or the like, on the outside surface thereof. Decoration D can be a decal or the like.

[0026] Outer shell unit 70 also includes a first outer shell ear portion 90 located adjacent to a first ear of the wearer when the outer shell unit 70 is worn and a second outer shell ear portion 92 located adjacent to second ear E2 of the wearer when the outer shell unit 70 is worn. An inside surface 94 of the outer shell unit 70 is located adjacent to the wearer's head or adjacent to the outside surface of the liner unit 12 when the outer shell unit 70 is worn. Outer shell unit 70 further includes an outer surface 96.

[0027] Helmet 10 includes a compact disc player 100 and/or a digital player 101 located on the outer surface 96 of the outer shell unit 70. Compact disc player 100 is positioned near the rear portion of the head covering section 72 of the outer shell unit 70 and includes a housing 102 having one portion 104 thereof positioned near the rear rim portion of the outer shell unit 70. Compact disc player 100 further includes an access cover 106 pivotally mounted on the housing 102 of the compact disc player 100 to open and close the compact disc player 100. A transparent window 108 is located in the access cover 106. A plurality of control buttons are located on the access cover 106 and include a “stop” button 110, a “play” button 112, and a “pause” button 114, Other control buttons, such as “search”, “seek”, and the like can be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The compact disc player 100 can be a mini-disc player, a micro-disc player, or play standard size discs, including in MP3 format. Similarly, the digital player 101 includes a pivotally mounted access cover 111.

[0028] The first and second electrical wires 40, 42 of the liner unit 12 are electrically connected to the compact disc player 100 so audio from the compact disc player 100 is played through the earphones 34, 36 in the manner known to those skilled in the art. A battery pack 116 is located in the housing 102 of the compact disc player 100.

[0029] A volume control knob 120 is mounted on the outer surface of the head-covering section 72 of the outer shell unit 70 near the front portion 74 of the head covering section 72 of the outer shell unit 70. The volume control knob 120 is electrically connected to the compact disc player 100 in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] A remote control unit 130 includes a handle section 132 which has a “play” button 134, a “stop” button 136, and a “pause” button 138. The control buttons on the remote control unit 130 control the operation of the compact disc player 100 in the manner known to those skilled in the art. An electrical wire 140 electrically connects the handle section 132 and the control buttons thereon of the remote control unit 130 to the compact disc player 100. Handle 130 includes a fastener, such as hook-and-loop fastener 142, which mates with hook-and-loop fastener elements 60 to store the handle 132 when desired.

[0031] Helmet 10 further includes a digital chip audio player 150 mounted on the outer surface of the head covering section 72 of the outer shell unit 70 adjacent to the compact disc player 100. The digital audio chip player 150 can be connected to the earphones 34, 36 via the compact disc player 100. It is also noted that an MP3 player or the like can be used if desired.

[0032] It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown. 

What is desired to be covered by Letters Patent is:
 1. A helmet comprising: a) a liner unit which includes (1) a head-covering section having a front portion, a rear portion and side portions connecting the front portion to the rear portion, the front portion of the head-covering section being located adjacent to the face of a wearer when the wearer is wearing said liner unit, the rear portion of the head-covering unit being located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing said liner unit and the side portions of the head-covering section being located adjacent to the sides of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the head-covering section, (2) a rim, (3) a rim face portion which is located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said liner unit, (4) a rim rear portion which is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing said liner unit, (5) a first ear covering portion which covers one ear of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said liner unit, (6) a second ear covering portion which covers a second ear of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said liner unit, (7) a first earphone embedded in said liner unit in the first ear covering portion of said liner unit, (8) a second earphone embedded in said liner unit in the second ear covering portion of said liner unit, (9) a first electrical wire electrically connected to the first earphone, (10) a second electrical wire electrically connected to the second earphone, (11) an inside surface which is located adjacent to the head of the wearer when said liner unit is worn by the wearer, and (12) an outside surface; b) a strap unit which includes (1) a first end fixed to the rim face portion adjacent to one side portion of said liner unit, (2) a second end fixed to the rim face portion adjacent to a second side portion of said liner unit, and (3) a size adjusting mechanism on said strap unit; c) an outer shell unit which includes (1) an outer shell head-covering section having a front portion, a rear portion and side portions connecting the front portion of the outer shell head-covering portion to the rear portion of the outer shell head-covering portion, the front portion of the outer shell head-covering section being located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said outer shell unit, the rear portion of the outer shell head-covering unit being located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing said outer shell unit and the side portions of the outer shell head-covering section being located adjacent to the sides of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell head-covering section, (2) an outer shell rim, (3) an outer shell rim face portion which is located adjacent to the wearer's face when said outer shell unit is worn by the wearer, (4) an outer shell rim rear portion which is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when said outer shell unit is worn by the wearer, (5) a first outer shell ear portion which is located adjacent to a first ear of the wearer when said outer shell unit is worn, (6) a second outer shell ear portion which is located adjacent to the second ear of the wearer when said outer shell unit is worn, (7) an inside surface which is located adjacent to the wearer's head when said outer shell unit is worn, (8) an outside surface; d) a compact disc player located on the outside surface of said outer shell unit and which is positioned near the rear portion of the head covering section of said outer shell unit and which includes (1) a housing having one portion positioned near the rear rim portion of said outer shell unit, (2) an access cover pivotally mounted on the housing of the compact disc player, (3) a transparent window in the access cover, (4) a plurality of control buttons on the access cover and which include a “stop” button, a “play” button and a “pause” button, (5) the first and second electrical wires of said liner unit being electrically connected to said compact disc player, and (6) a battery pack in the housing of said compact disc player; e) a volume control knob mounted on the outside surface of the head-covering section of said outer shell unit near the front portion of the head covering section of said outer shell unit, said volume control knob being electrically connected to said compact disc player; f) a remote control unit which includes (1) a handle section having a “play” button, a “stop” button and a “pause” button, (2) an electrical wire electrically connecting the handle section and the buttons of the handle section of said remote control unit to said compact disc player; and g) a digital chip audio player mounted on the outside surface of the head covering section of said outer shell unit adjacent to said compact disc payer.
 2. The helmet as described in claim 1 wherein the size adjusting mechanism of the strap unit of said liner unit includes hook-and-loop fastener elements.
 3. A helmet comprising: a) a liner unit having earphones embedded therein; b) a strap connected to said liner unit; c) an outer shell unit that covers said liner unit when worn by a wearer; d) a compact disc player mounted on said outer shell unit; e) a remote control unit electrically connected to said compact disc player; and f) a strap unit connected to said liner unit.
 4. The helmet as described in claim 3 further including a digital chip player mounted on said outer shell near said compact disc player.
 5. The helmet as described in claim 3 wherein said compact disc player includes a housing and an access door pivotally connected to the housing.
 6. The helmet as described in claim 3 wherein said compact disc player further includes a battery pack.
 7. The helmet as described in claim 5 wherein the access door of said compact further includes a plurality of control buttons thereon.
 8. The helmet as described in claim 7 wherein said remote control includes a plurality of control buttons thereon. 